Andy Katz reveals his top 10 breakout players to watch for the 2025-26 men’s college basketball season. Here’s a closer look at who could make the biggest impact this year.
1. Christian Anderson, Texas Tech
Anderson scored a career-high 22 points in the Sweet 16 win over Arkansas last season, but his breakout came while playing for Germany in the FIBA U19 World Championships. He scored 18 points, dished out nine assists, and added four steals and four rebounds in the title-game loss to the United States.
2. Tahaad Pettiford, Auburn
TAHAAD. PETTIFORD. 😤#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/T5vodknAnk
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 29, 2025
Pettiford was an All-SEC freshman team member, made the NCAA South Regional all-tournament team and was a key returnee for Bruce Pearl — and now for new head coach Steven Pearl.
3. Melvin Council Jr., Kansas
Council was a standout for St. Bonaventure, averaging 14 points and five rebounds, and led the A-10 with 72 steals. He’ll team up with Darryn Peterson to form one of the strongest 1-2 tandems in the Big 12.
4. Andrej Stojakovic, Illinois
Stojakovic was a bucket getter for Cal with a team-leading 17 points a game. He was one of only three NCAA DI players to average at least 17.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.2 blocks a game. Duke’s Cooper Flagg and Auburn’s Johni Broome were the other two. Stojakovic will be counted on to produce for the Illini.
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5. Jaland Lowe, Kentucky
Lowe led Pitt with 16.8 points a game, averaged 4.2 rebounds and 5.5 assists. He was one of only eight players in DI to average at least 16.5 points, four rebounds and 5.5 assists. He should flourish in Mark Pope’s system.
6. Xaivian Lee, Florida
GATORS GET THEIR GUARD 🐊
Xaivian Lee is officially headed to Gainesville for the 25-26 season 🔥 pic.twitter.com/hFxqaRMJhF
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 22, 2025
The Gators got one of the top transfers in Princeton’s Lee. He scored 1,154 points and 124 3s, grabbed 406 rebounds, notched 302 assists and forced 81 steals in three seasons with the Tigers. He will team up quite well with Arkansas transfer Boogie Fland in the backcourt.
7. Flory Bidunga, Kansas:
He led the Jayhawks with 54 blocks and shot just a hair under 70 percent. The Jayhawks upgraded their perimeter talent, and Bidunga will benefit from that too. He will shine in year two.
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8. Anthony Robinson II, Missouri
Robinson was an all-SEC defensive team member; he had a 2.04 assist-to-turnover ratio. His playmaking and defensive skills will only get better, but expect his offense to improve as a junior.
9. Houston Mallette, Alabama
Mallette sat out all but six games. He’s back now, and that means he’s ready to bust out after scoring 1,295 points in these three seasons at Pepperdine. Mallette can help take over the scoring load loss from the departure of Mark Sears.
10. Joson Sanon, St. John’s
Sanon averaged 11.9 points a game for the Sun Devils and shot 36.9 percent. He will likely be a major factor for the Red Storm in their quest for another Big East title.
